Amid huge criticisms that the Ethiopian Defense Force’s high ranking military brass remains to be held by officers that hail from one ethnic group and an absence of Security Sector Reform (SSR), the Ethiopian regime has said that it has promoted 28 high ranking officers today.

The ranks promoted are one Lieutenant General, 12 Major Generals and 25 Brigadier Generals. However the previous generals and lieutenant generals accused of hailing from one ethnic group and monopolizing the administration still remain on their posts.

State media reported that President Mulatu Teshome has promoted 38 high ranking military officers which included:

1. Major General Gebrat Ayele Bicha has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General

The following officers were promoted to the rank of Major General

1. Brig.Gen Mohammedisha Zeynu Tikue

2. Brig.Gen Halefom Ejigu Moges

3. Brig.Gen Masho Beyene Desta

4. Brig.Gen Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn

5. Brig.Gen Getachew Gudina Selbana

6. Brig.Gen Driba Mekonnen Hateu

7. Brig.Gen Gebremichael Beyene Tedla

8. Brig.Gen Desta Abche Ageno

9. Brig.Gen Degfe Bedi Dugaye

10. Brig.Gen Yimer Mekonnen Ali

11. Brig.Gen Achalu Sheleme Merga

12. Brig. Gen Abel Ayele Alto

The Following officers were promoted to the rank of Brigadier General

1. Col. Addisu Gebreyesus Gebreyohannes

2. Col. Kidu Alemu Asegu

3. Col. Berhanu Tilahun Berhe

4. Col. Girma Kebebew Tufa

5. Col. Admasu Alemu Woldesenbet

6. Col. Teklay Kidane Tedla

7. Col. Sisay Wublene Mekonnen

8. Col. Jemal Mohammed Yimam

9. Col. Abebe Beyene Alemu

10. Col. Tegegn Leta Shine

11. Col. Taddese Mekuria Zerihun

12. Col. Mebrhatu W/Aregay Assu

13. Col. Letay Mesfin Tikuea

14. Col. Kindu Gezu Tegegn

15. Col. Demisew Amenu Fafa

16. Col. Semere Gebre-egziabher Kiflom

17. Col. Melaku Shiferaw Tiruneh

18. Col. Bulti Taddese Kitila

19. Col. Zemene Kifle G/Medihn

20. Col. Mulualem Admasu kahisu

21. Col. Guesh Gebre Gebrewahid

22. Col. Yilma Merddassa Napa

23. Col. Alemayehu Getachew Jembere

24. Col. Tiruye Asefie Abera

25. Col. Jehad Jemal Ahmed

Judging by the names, this new list makes a slight effort to diversify the military command. Although the single lieutenant promoted and the majority of the new major and brigadier generals still seem to hail from the ethnic group accused of domination, Tigre.

For a backgrounder about Ethiopian incumbent’s military domination read our 20 page report from 2012 here: